Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
OPTIMIZING PROTECTIVE CULTURE ENVIRONMENTS FOR BERRY CROPS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1004240
Grant No.
2014-51181-22380
Cumulative Award Amt.
$2,450,060.00
Proposal No.
2014-07921
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2014
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2019
Grant Year
2014
Program Code
[SCRI]- Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
National demand for fresh raspberries and strawberries is strong and growing, but most domestic production occurs in select regions of the U.S with the most suited climate. Farmers in the upper Midwest and Northeast are keenly interested in supplying more berries to satisfy local demand, but cold winters and short, humid growing seasons limit yields and quality. Protective structures or tunnels appear to mitigate many climatic limitations, but our SCRI Planning Grant showed that producers want information on many topics including which type of structure and plastic to choose and the benefits they can provide. This Standard Research and Extension Project will fill these information gaps. An enormous array of protective structures and covering plastics are available, including specialty "smart" plastics that can diffuse light and alter the spectrum. Modifying light quality and intensity - basic conditions to which all organisms have adapted - can directly impact the yield and quality of berry crops while presenting unique opportunities for non-chemical pest management methods. Our goal is to provide growers with the knowledge base needed to select structures and plastics that optimize productivity and pest management, while increasing profits and minimizing the generation of plastic waste. This directly addresses SCRI focus areas 2 (threats from pests and diseases), 3 (improving crop productivity and profitability), and 4 (employing new innovations).
Animal Health Component
45%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
45%
Developmental
45%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20501991060100%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
Our long-term goals are to: 1) enable growers in diverse locations to profitably produce berries where growing conditions are challenging and increasingly less predictable; 2) provide berry growers with innovative ways of managing diseases and insects with reduced pesticide use; and 3) minimize the negative environmental consequences from increased use of tunnel plastics. The focus will be on regional production of raspberries and strawberries, two high-value, temperature-sensitive crops, to supply the large Northeast and upper Midwest markets.
Project Methods
1. Evaluate and contrast diverse types of protective structures and plastic coverings. Basic attributes of tunnels available in the U.S. will be compiled from the manufacturers and growers. Structures will include multiple-bay and single bay tunnels. Ventilation approaches for small tunnels will be compared, such as roll-up sides, drop-down sides, and end vents. The spectral characteristics and longevity of diverse types of plastics will be evaluated in the laboratory. Plastics will also be installed on frames under field conditions to determine long-term durability. Economics of berry culture under various protective structures and plastics will be contrasted using partial budgets.2. Describe the effects of selected combinations of plastics and tunnel types on tunnel microclimate, crop production and quality, new and novel disease and insect control strategies, and pesticide longevity and efficacy. Diverse plastics will be compared on small low tunnels, 17 foot x 36 foot single-bay tunnels and larger multiple-bay tunnels. Environmental parameters measured will include air temperature and relative humidity and incoming global and diffuse radiation (400 - 700 nm) within the tunnel will be contrasted measured. Other studies will assess the effects of selected plastics on the performance of strawberries in low tunnels, strawberries and raspberries in single bay tunnels, and raspberries in multiple bay tunnels. Crops will be managed by standard practices and yields and fruit quality assessed. The effects of plastics with varying UV transmission on insect populations and the efficacy of novel bio-insecticides will be investigated on strawberries in low tunnels and raspberries in multiple bay tunnels. The impact of these plastics on the efficacy and longevity of conventional insecticides will also be studied.3. Optimize methods for recycling of used plastics. Researchers will work in collaboration with commercial growers and research farms and plastic compaction equipment developers and suppliers to identify methods that growers currently use to remove waste plastic from tunnels and evaluate these practices on time, labor and equipment requirements, and the suitability of the removed plastic for recycling. Researchers will collaborate with plastics reclamation companies to test collection and compaction equipment specifically designed for agricultural plastics and those developed for related purposes. Plasticreclaimers and researchers will develop best management guidelines for handling and preparing plastics from different tunnel styles, and develop an online, searchable database of plastics recycling markets.4. Understand grower adoption and consumer attitudes towards high tunnel crops. Grower adoption will be assessed through internet surveys earl and late in the project. Surveys will provide information on the types and numbers of protective structure utilized, crops grown, plastics used, cultural challenges and plastic types and disposal. Consumers will also be surveyed on line to determine berry purchasing patterns, and their attitudes on plastic recycling, local foods, and protective structures, and berry pricing.5. Develop diverse outreach vehicles to disseminate information to stakeholders and the Extension and research community.A project website will be developed to house all resources and progress reports, newsletter article and extension fact sheets developed by the team. Annual workshops for growers will be offered at several locations, and presentations will be made at state and regional conferences. In order to extend our reach, educational materials and workshops will be provided to Extension educators in order to train-the-trainer. An annual project meeting will provide for exchange of information between the research team and industry representative. An online course on protected culture of berries will be developed during the last year of the project.

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting period includes extension educators, current and potential growers utilizing protective structures (tunnels) to produce berries, tunnel and plastic manufacturers, and the berry consuming public. Much of the work will apply to production of additional crops like vegetables and ornamentals. Changes/Problems:Annemiek Schilder, a co-PI on this project, left employment at Michigan State University in 2018. Her responsibilities on the project were carried on after that point by remaining laboratory personnel. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We organized a mini-workshop and tour for about 60 Extension workers from the Midwest and Northeast during the Great Lakes Fruit Workers Conf. in NY (Nov. 2018), and a 1.5 day workshop for 30 extension educators who learned about tunnels and project results in PA (Aug. 2019). An in-service tour of innovative berry production in Quebec was organized (Aug. 2019). Twenty extension educators and team members attended to observe and discuss new raspberry and strawberry production systems. A presentation on project results was also made to about 60 researchers as part of an Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. workshop on high tunnel crop production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two Extension manuals were produced; Low Tunnel Strawberry Production Guide and High Tunnel Production Guide for Raspberries & Blackberries. These on-line publications are comprehensive guides on the topics. Ten instructional videos were also produced covering a range of related topics. The TunnelBerries.org website was migrated to a Cornell University platform so that the information will continue to be available to users after the project concludes. One-day workshops were organized on high tunnel bramble production at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA (50 growers, Jan. 2019) and at the N. Amer. Raspberry and Blackberry Assoc. Conf., Savannah GA (60 growers, Jan 2019). Information was shared with the scientific community via presentations at the Intern. Soc. Hort. Sci. sponsored GreenSys Symposium, France (June, 2019) and the Rubus/Ribes Symposium, Switzerland (June, 2019). The effects of plastic type on diseases and insects of berries were presented as part of a workshop at the Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Ann. Meet. (July 2019). ? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj.1. Evaluate/contrast diverse types of structures and plastics: NJ/PA: A data recording system was used to collect comprehensive environmental data at the high tunnel research facility at Penn State University. Obj. 2. Describe effects of diverse plastics on tunnel microclimate, berry production and insect/disease management: NY: The first year evaluation of day neutral strawberry performance under various levels of shading concluded. The efficacy of two predatory mites for control of two-spotted spider mites was studied. PA: Data was collected from tunnels with 6 replicated cover treatments on growth and pest incidence on two varieties of primocane-fruiting raspberries and 'Albion' strawberries in 2018, and on four varieties of strawberries under one type of plastic compared to no cover in 2019. For a second year, raspberry yields were higher under Tufflite than under KoolLite Plus indicating that the widely available and less expensive plastic Tufflite may be a preferred type for raspberries. In the variety/tunnel strawberry trial, 'Cabrillo' was the highest producer, but fruit were also the most susceptible to anthracnose when grown without a cover. Fruit anthracnose incidence was reduced by 83 to 100% in tunnels. Koolite Plus moderated high and low temperatures more than other plastics. Obj. 4. Understand grower use of protective structures, consumer attitudes toward crops harvested, and evaluate economic viability of using structures for commercial production: VT: Farmer perceptions of high tunnels were determined by surveys and reported in HortTechnology. Obj. 5. Develop diverse outreach vehicles to ensure that all generated information is disseminated to stakeholders and the Extension and research community: These outreach efforts are discussed under parts B and C below.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Conner and Demchak. Farmer perceptions of tunnels for berry production: management and marketing implication. HortTechnology 28:706-710.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Cramer, Demchak, Marini, and Leskey. 2019. UV-blocking high tunnel plastics reduce japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) in red raspberry. HortScience 54:903-909.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Cramer. 2018. Integrated Pest Management for Two Red Raspberry Pests Utilizing UV-Blocking High Tunnel Plastic Films. Penn. State Univ. M.S. Thesis
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Demchak, Marini and Cooper. 2018. Plastic cover type effects on raspberry and strawberry yield in high tunnels. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit Work. Conf. Ithaca, NY.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hanson, Crain and Moses. 2018. Cropping on primocanes and floricanes increases yields of organic raspberries in high tunnels. HortScience 54:459-462.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hanson. 2018. Container/substrate production of raspberries. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit Work. Conf. Ithaca, NY.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hanson, Crain, and Hanson. 2019. Response of potted red raspberry cultivars to double-cropping under high tunnels. HortScience 54(n):14.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Demchak, Marini and Cooper. 2018. Container/substrate production of strawberries in high tunnels. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit Work. Conf. Ithaca, NY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lewus and Both. 2019. Using computational fluid dynamics to improve high tunnel ventilation. Acta Hort. (from the GreenSys Symposium, Angers, France).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde, Sideman, McDermott, Pritts and Demchak. 2018. Low Tunnel Strawberry Production Guide. Univ. New Hamp. Exten. Bull.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Orde and Sideman. 2019. Growing Day-neutral Strawberries in New Hampshire. Univ. New Hampshire. Coop. Exten. Bull.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Orde and Sideman. 2019. Low tunnel and cultivar effects on day-neutral strawberry yield and characteristics in New Hampshire. HortTechnology. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04317-19
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde. 2018. Using day-neutral cultivars and low tunnels to extend the strawberry harvest season in the northeastern United States. Univ. New Hampshire M.S. Thesis
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Pritts. 2019. Day neutral strawberry management under tunnels. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit Work. Conf. Ithaca, NY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Weber, Gassier, Kaspar and Pritts. 2019. Day neutral strawberries grown under low tunnels are affected by planting date. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit Work. Conf. Ithaca, NY.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hanson and Moses. 2019. Media type does not affect yields from potted raspberries grown organically under a high tunnel. Intern. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Rubus/Ribes Symp., June, Switzerland.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Orde and Sideman. Influence of photoselective film and mulch color on air and soil temperatures in a low tunnel strawberry production system. GreenSys International Symp. on Advanced Technologies and Management for Innovative Greenhouses. France. June.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Both, Demchak, Hanson, Heidenreich, Loeb, McDermott, Pritts, and Weber. High tunnel production guide for raspberries and blackberries. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/pdfs/high-tunnel-brambles.pdf


Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting period includes extension educators, current and potential growers utilizing protective structures (tunnels) to produce berries, tunnel and plastic manufacturers, and the berry consuming public. Much of the work will apply to production of additional crops like vegetables and ornamentals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?MI: 1 scientist attended tour of tunnel berry production in southern California Feb 2018, organized by the North American Bramble Growers Assoc. NH: 1 graduate student attended Sep 2017 ASHS Annual Conference; presented preliminary findings. 1 scientist attended/presented at the 2018 ASHS Annual Conference. 3 undergraduate students participated in assembling low tunnels; learned to collect data on plant size, fruit quality, yield. NJ: 1 scientist attended annual NCERA-101 meeting (Committee on Growth Chamber Technology and Use) and annual NE-1335 meeting (Committee on Resource Management in Commercial Greenhouse Production). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See also "Products". MI: 7 in-person presentations at regional conferences/workshops. Educational videos on berry production in tunnels posted on TunnelBerries YouTube channel (118 subscribers). 4 videos were updated/re-released, 2 new videos added to the channel: 1049 total views. TunnelBerries website: 1802 unique visits, over 6,000 page views in the last month. TunnelBerries Facebook page: 270 followers. Blog posts on project website distributed via Twitter (16 followers). NY: 2 online classes, 12 conference/workshop presentations in five states (reach of nearly 600). NH: Durham Farm Day, Low Tunnel Production Guide, presentations at growers meetings and academic conferences. PA: 17 site tours, presentations - conservative reach well over 600 researchers, growers, extension personnel, industry professionals. NJ: 2018 New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show high tunnel session. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?MI: Disseminate developed knowledge to grower groups via conferences, workshops and a series of recorded webinar presentations. NY: Repeat experiment on carbohydrate status/overwintering, evaluate overwintering techniques for potted raspberries in a high tunnel, explore growing strawberries under both mesh and plastic coverings, contribute to developing videos and other outreach materials, continue work with exclusion netting support frame design, continue work with exclusion netting in high tunnel production and in primocane raspberry plantings. NH: Complete data analyses from 2016 & 2017 low tunnel material experiments and publish. Complete 2nd year of cultivar experiment, analyze data and publish. NJ: Continue collecting environmental data from high tunnels at Penn State. Refine simulation model for high tunnel ventilation; develop ventilation strategy recommendations for high tunnel growers. PA: Conduct experiments, emphasize data analyses, research/extension publication production, and in-person and web-based outreach efforts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Key Progress: Understanding how protected culture impacts berry yield and quality in the Northeast and Midwest: Protected culture improves berry quality and extends harvest season. Fresh market strawberries were produced under low tunnels in the Northeast and Midwest as late as November, with a 70 to 100% increase in marketable fruit. UV-transmitting plastic provided greater benefit than UV-blocking film in Minnesota, but not in Pennsylvania or New Hampshire. Raspberry yields were increased by 50% by double-cropping primocane fruiting varieties without compromising overall yield or fruit quality. Understanding of environmentally friendly options for managing diseases and insects: Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) was managed with limited pesticides by removing infested fruit, harvesting frequently and employing exclusion netting. Residues of several insecticides on leaves persisted under UV opaque plastics longer than under UV transparent plastics. Numbers of some insect pests are suppressed by certain plastics. Options for recycling plastics: Tunnel plastic is desired by recyclers because it is mostly free of dirt and debris, but recycling is challenged by low oil prices, small quantities and dispersed locations. Obj.1. Evaluate/contrast diverse types of structures and plastics: An inventory of tunnel structures and films available on the market is maintained and regularly updated on project website. Performance, changes in physical condition and spectral characteristics are being monitored over time. NJ: Equipped a tunnel with measurement equipment to produce validation data for computational fluid dynamics modeling of the ventilation process. Developed preliminary simulation model for high tunnel ventilation. Obj. 2. Describe effects of diverse plastics on tunnel microclimate, berry production and insect/disease management: MI: Productivity, harvest seasons, fruit quality of 7 raspberry cultivars were described when grown for primocane and floricane production in potted culture under high tunnels. Information can be used by growers to choose varieties that produce high primocane and floricane yields during desired marketing times. NY: The optimal fertigation rate for 'Albion' day neutral strawberry was determined - studies indicate carbohydrate status going into winter is critical to ensure winter survival. Treatments that enhanced carbohydrate status resulted in higher survivorship and yield; treatments that reduced carbohydrate status resulted in poorer survivorship and lower yield. Smaller mesh coverings enhanced yield and reduced the proportion of unmarketable berries in day neutral cultivars. An experiment was initiated to grow and overwinter cold-tender raspberries in pots. Exclusion netting is being evaluated for managing SWD without pesticides. Attract and Kill traps also being evaluated with exclusion netting to control SWD in a no-spray primocane raspberry planting. NH:Nov 2017: Completed 2nd year of evaluating 3 mulch and 6 low tunnel treatments for strawberry cv. Albion; completed 1st year of study comparing 6 day-neutral cultivars. 2018: replicated cultivar comparison study. Have identified which low tunnel films are easiest to manage on commercial scale; now have several years data on positive impacts of low tunnels on disease incidence. Have collected yield, fruit size and quality, plant size measurements from all experiments. Analysis is ongoing. PA: Yield data collected from 'Polka' and 'Josephine' red raspberries in high tunnels covered with 5 films. Conducted experiments on harvest interval combined with attracticidal spheres under UV-blocking and UV-transmitting films to investigate non-spray methods of SWD management. Experiments using UV-blocking and UV-transmitting films compared SWD's ability to recognize fruit under UV-altered conditions. Collected data on Japanese beetle, SWD populations in tunnels with 5 different films. Yield data collected from low tunnel strawberry experiment fall 2017. SWD numbers trended differently under various plastics compared to 2016.Possible reasons being investigated.Low and high tunnels increased strawberry total yield in 2017 compared to outdoor conditions though plastic type had little effect.Containerized strawberry production has potential, as yields in high tunnels reached 2.4 pounds per plant, 240% greater than in-ground field production in this location.Plastic type affected yields of 'Polka' but not 'Josephine' raspberry.Depending on plastic type and cultivar, yields in tunnels were 2.5 to 5.1 times greater than outdoors.Japanese beetle populations were greatly decreased under UV-blocking plastics.SWD fruit infestation was reduced by decreasing harvest interval and deploying attracticidal spheres, with combined effects being greatest. Obj. 3. Optimal Methods for Plastic Recycling: An online survey targeting growers is being developed related to plastics/recycling. A consumer survey found that most consumers would be willing to help cover costs of plastics recycling if they knew that was what they were paying for. Obj. 4. Understand grower use of protective structures, consumer attitudes toward crops harvested, and evaluate economic viability of using structures for commercial production: VT: 10 farmers were interviewed who currently use protected culture to grow berries. Questions centered on farmers' experiences, especially the impacts of tunnels on yield, quality, fertility, pests and marketing. Obj. 5. Develop diverse outreach vehicles to ensure that all generated information is disseminated to stakeholders and the Extension and research community: Project website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed being maintained and updated. Developed online instructional videos published on the project YouTube channel and project website. Published production guide online for low tunnel strawberries. Numerous workshops and presentations have been held for growers, researchers and industry professionals. Articles have been published in industry and scientific journals. For specifics, see "C" and "Products".

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hanson, Eric. 2018. Tunnel basics for caneberry production. SRSFC Extension Agent Training Workshop. Hendersonville, NC. July 19-20.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Pullano, G. 2018. Better berries; high tunnels bring crop success under cover. Fruit Grower News (August). 57(6):1,5.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde, K. 2018. Extending the Strawberry Production Season in the Northeastern U.S. Empire State Producers EXPO Berry Session. Syracuse. NY. January 16, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde, K. 2018. Extending Strawberry Season Using Day Neutral Varieties and Low Tunnels. Proceedings of the 68th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show: 95-99. Atlantic City, NJ. February 6-8, 2018.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde, K. 2018. Using day-neutral cultivars and low tunnels to extend the strawberry production season in the Northeastern United States.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde K., B. Sideman, M. Pritts, and K. Demchak. 2018. Low Tunnel Strawberry Production Guide. University of New Hampshire Extension Publication.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orde, K. and B. Sideman. 2017. Effects of Low Tunnels on Performance of the Day-Neutral Cultivar Albion in the Northeastern US. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, KM., R. Sideman, K. Demchak, R. Marini, and M. Cooper. 2017. Effects of Low Tunnels on Day-Neutral Strawberry Production in the Northeastern U.S. HortScience 52(9):S267. (Abstr.)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, K. and B. Sideman. 2017. Effects of Low Tunnels on Performance of the Day-Neutral Cultivar Albion in the Northeastern US. New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference and Trade Show. Manchester, NH. December 12-14. Poster Presentation #1713.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Demchak, K. 2018. Plastic Film Light-Transmitting Characteristics as Related to Berry Crop Production". American Society for Horticultural Science workshop. "Microclimate Modification Effects on Fruit Physiology and Production"
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: TunnelBerries Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tunnelberries/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: TunnelBerries Website: www.tunnelberries.org
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, Eric. 2017. Double cropping raspberries. Great Lakes Fruit Workers Conference Proc. Port Huron, MI (pp 20) https://greatlakesfruitworkers.weebly.com/uploads/9/3/1/2/9312881/glfw_proceedings_2017.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, Eric. 2017. New raspberry varieties for high tunnels. New England Fruit and Veg. Conference, Manchester, NH. Dec 13.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, E. and J. Moses. 2017 Raspberry Cultivars for High Tunnel Production. Ontario Berry Growers Newsletter (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/allontario/ao0117a2.htm).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hanson, E., B. Crain and D. Brown-Rytlewski. 2018. Primocane fruiting raspberry cultivar evaluation in high tunnels. J. Amer. Pomological Soc. 72:122-127.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, E. 2017. Optimizing protective culture environments for berry crops. Presentation to the NIFA-SCRI Administrators, Traverse City, MI. Sep 30.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hanson, E. 2018. Undercover raspberries; high tunnels for sustainable production. Horticulture and Plant, Soil Microbial Sciences Spring Seminar Series, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Jan 18.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, Eric. 2017. Promising new raspberry varieties. New England Fruit and Veg. Conf., Manchester, NH (13 Dec)


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes extension educators, current and potential growers utilizing protective structures (tunnels) to produce berries, tunnel and plastic manufacturers, plastic recyclers, and the berry comsuming public. Much of the work will apply to production of additional crops like vegetables and ornamentals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?NH: Graduate student attended the American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference to present her work on the project. MN: 1 visiting undergraduate student from University of Arkansas Pine Bluff participated in TunnelBerries summer research and presented a poster on the data she collected to peers also working in University of Minnesota labs over the summer through the Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program. 1 graduate student presented TunnelBerries research in a short presentation and in a poster format at the 2017 annual American Society of Horticultural Science conference. 1 high school student under the Minneapolis Step Up program (serving underrepresented students) assisted with field research and data collection. 2 undergraduate research assistants in 2016 and one undergraduate research assistant in 2017 from the University of MN developed research skills assisting with TunnelBerries data collection and field management. PA: 35 graduate students and faculty in the Dept. of Plant Science and Climate Utah State Univ. attended an invited seminar entitled "High Tunnel Research in Pennsylvania: From Exploring Crop Potential to New Plastics Technologies" as a result of this project. Extension educators and specialists from other states have attended talks given as part of this project grower meetings held in Pennsylvania and other states. MI: A graduate student has had numerous professional development opportunities by presenting this research to scientific and extension personnel, developing extension bulletins, leading workshops, and publishing scientific papers. One scientist attended a tour of tunnel berry production in central Mexico in February, 2016, organized by the North American Bramble Growers Association. Michigan Extension educators toured the high tunnel research projects in East Lansing MI, August, 2016. NY: New York State Producers EXPO, Syracuse, NY; Northeast Weekly Berry Call; Michigan EXPO; Rutgers Extension meeting; NY/Ontario extension professionals exchange and Texas fruit and Vegetable meeting. NJ: In collaboration with project colleagues, a ventilation webinar was presented developed and posted to the project website. Project information has been shared through various (guest) lectures presented to Rutgers University undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via a range of vehicles including scientific and industry conference presentations, grower workshops and field days, scientific and trade publications, extension bulletins, reports, newsletters, webinars, the project website, 2 blogs and social media. See also Objective 5 for "What was accomplished..." and "Products" for specific information. Field day, workshop and conference events include: NH: The New Hampshire Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Meeting, Manchester, NH, Feb 2017; NH Landscapers Association, NH Plant Growers' Association & UNH Cooperative Extension Joint Winter Meeting, Concord, New Hampshire, Feb 2017; New England Vegetable and Berries Growers' Association and New England Cooperative Extension's 593 Meeting, Hadley, MA, Jan 2017; Commercial growers and master gardeners toured the UNH strawberry research and low tunnel production during Seedless Table Grapes & Fall Strawberries Field Meeting, 13 Sept. 2017, Durham NH; Durham Farm Day, 19 Aug. 2017, Durham NH; Woodman Farm Twilight Meeting, 19 June 2017, Durham NH; Master Gardener Trainings, 15 May and 16 September 2017, Durham NH. A NH Agricultural Experiment Station press release received national attention by 240 news outlets. A selected list of these is included under "Products". MN: Presentations at the American Society for Horticultural Science, Sept. 19-22, Waikoloa, HI. Two Organic Field Days on the UMN St. Paul campus, (July 11 and Sept. 21, 2017), approx. 50 attendees; NCCC 212 Small Fruit and Viticulture Research meeting in Virginia Beach, VA (Oct. 25, 2016); Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Complex Horticole in Agadir, Morocco (Sept. 26th, 2017). PA: 132 individuals attended one of 6 2-hour tours of the high tunnel facilities during Penn State's Ag Progress Days on August 15-17, 2017. Over 650 growers in 6 states attended one of the 17 invited presentations given on information gained from this project. Approx. 20 undergraduate students learned about the work as part of a freshman seminar class. MI: An extension bulletin was published with new management guidelines for spotted wing drosophila in berry and fruit crops. Weekly pest reports were sent to grower collaborators during the growing season to educate them on pests, natural enemies, and diseases on their crop and to provide suggestions for management. Presentations by TunnelBerries project members were given at the North American Bramble Growers Association annual meeting, Grand Rapids MI, Dec 2016; North American Strawberry Growers Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec 2016; Great Lakes Fruit Workers Conference, Collingwood Ont. Nov 2016; TunnelBerries project members hosted Pauliina Palonen, University of Helsinki for a tour of Michigan tunnel research sites and commercial growers, and presentation of seminar at Michigan State University on bramble production in Finland, May, 2017. NY: Four webinars on related topics were presented ( 142 attendees). Another 19 workshops were hosted in NY as well as NJ, TX, Mi, and VT (554 attendees. a bi-weekly berry newsletter was published with 16 issues circulated toto 318 people. NJ: Tunnels were discussed in presentations at the 2017 New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show, Feb 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?MN: Results from the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons will be analyzed and submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals. VT: Interview current growers who are growing berries in tunnels to understand how this technology impacts financial performance, management, labor, and marketing. Data will be collected in late 2017-early 2018 and results will be presented at professional meetings in 2018, then submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. NH: Using data compiled at UNH and at other other TunnelBerries sites, will select one mulch and a limited number of low tunnel plastics covers to use in a scaled-up replication study in 2018. MI: Utilize our 2 year dataset from pest and natural enemy phenology in raspberries to predict how insect abundance may change with high tunnel implementation and plastic covering selection. Work with potted raspberry culture in high tunnels will emphasize organic methods of fertilizing plants through the trickle irrigation system. We will also install a new adjustable trellis system to allow for better separation of floricanes and primocanes to improve fruit yields and harvest efficiency. PA: Internet surveys are being developed to gather information from growers and consumers on topics related to producing raspberries and strawberries in tunnels covered with plastic. Survey responses will inform growers about consumer demand and interest in berries grown under cover. In addition, grower survey outcomes will provide the protective structure and plastic recycling industries with data that will assist them with providing goods and services that best meet berry producer needs. Further experiments on raspberries and/or strawberries under high and low tunnels will be established or continued with data being collected on the microenvironment, plant growth, and pest incidence. Data will be analyzed. NY: Speaking at New England Fruit and Vegetable conference and at the Empire State Producers Meeting. NJ: Graduate student is scheduled to receive advanced training in computational fluid dynamics with colleagues in Seoul, Korea during the early part of 2018. Several high tunnels at Penn State will be instrumented to collect data to validate the ventilation model. Preliminary results will be shared with the project's research team and commercial growers at various meetings. Another high tunnel session is scheduled for the 2018 NJ Ag Convention and Trade Show.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj.1. Evaluate/contrast diverse types of structures and plastics: An inventory of tunnel structures and different tunnel films available on the market is published and updated regularly on the project website with links to features, manufacturers and distributors. Plastic film performance, changes in physical condition and spectral characteristics are being monitored over time. NJ: A review of scientific literature related to high tunnel ventilation has begun and software to evaluate ventilation strategies using computational fluid dynamics has been identified. Ongoing discussions with project colleagues at Penn State have focused on design and implementation of alternate ventilation systems and on environmental data collection. Obj. 2. Describe effects of diverse plastics on tunnel microclimate, berry production and insect/disease management: MN: The effects of low tunnels on yield, marketability, sugar content, color, runner growth, leaf growth, flower growth of the day neutral (DN) strawberry cultivar 'Albion' were described. Light and microclimate conditions under low tunnel structures was measured to understand how these structures alter environmental conditions and thus yield and quality. Changes in light transmission through the tunnel plastics was tracked over the season. In addition, using different plastics to cover low tunnel structures with DN cultivar 'Albion', in combination with different biopesticides, insect pest density and damage were assessed. Finally, gathered data on mortality rates of the invasive insect pest Drosophila suzukii after exposure to leaves that had been sprayed with biopesticides under the different tunnel plastics. PA: Data from experiments completed in late 2016 was analyzed. Mini-computers were programmed to record air temperature, relative humidity, and soil temperature and deployed in the high tunnels. Spring 2017 yield data was obtained from a low tunnel experiment established in 2016 testing 5 plastic films chosen for their spectral transmittance characteristics. Two additional plastic film coverings were identified for use in a new low tunnel experiment established to repeat the previous year's trial for comparison. Data were collected on total and marketable yield, fruit size, runner production, and on causes of unmarketable fruit. Experiments testing the effects of 5 plastic films on 'Polka' and 'Josephine' red raspberries in high tunnels covered were continued, and a high tunnel experiment with 'Albion' strawberries was repeated to obtain results for a second year. Based on trap counts, spotted wing drosophila numbers were reduced in high tunnels regardless of the type of plastic used. Low tunnels increased strawberry total yield by 21-40% compared to uncovered plants. Differences in marketable yields were even greater. Tunnels increased marketable fruit over uncovered plants by 84-116%, depending on the type of plastic used. The potential for protected culture to increase yields, protect crops from insects and disease, and decrease the need for pesticide use is significant, and selection of the correct type of plastic film has potential to increase benefits even further. MI: A 2 year dataset was collected of pests, natural enemies, and pollinators from high tunnel grown raspberries under different plastic types and compared to field-grown raspberries. Pesticide degradation under different plastic types was compared. A study demonstrated that frequent, thorough harvest optimized control of spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Exclusion netting was evaluated on high tunnel grown raspberries as an innovative approach to control SWD. Sixteen raspberry cultivars and selections were grown in pots in tunnels and evaluated for yield and fruit quality. Ten types were grown for primocane fruit only or primocane plus floricane fruit (double cropping). Organic in-ground double cropping raspberry trials were concluded. Double cropping increased total yields by an average of 50% over single cropping. NY: High tunnel blackberries trained to rotatable cross-arm (RCA) system concentrates fruiting on 1 side of trellis improving harvest efficiency, but can reduce yield in cold winters as the longer primocanes in RCA system experience more damage to thin distal ends. Production trials indicate that 5 lb/A N/week is optimal for DN strawberries grown in the Northeast US. Annual requirement is approximately 100 lb/A/year, which is comparable to rates needed by June bearing strawberries in their fruiting year. Adequate pollination of 'Albion' strawberry occurred without insects in plots of varying mesh nets, suggesting that low tunnel covers do not need to be raised to allow pollinators to enter. Results reveal that waiting bed systems did not work well for Chandler, Honeoye, Jewel when strawberry plants are produced under Northeast conditions, whether overwintered as bare-rooted plants or in pots. Additional flower bud development occurs in the field, likely in spring, that allows field-planted strawberry plants to be much more productive than December dug plants transplanted to the field in June. Obj. 3. Optimal Methods for Plastic Recycling: Best practices for handling agricultural plastics were developed. Tunnel plastic is relatively clean and easier to recycle than other agricultural plastics, but at this time, the economic viability of recycling agricultural plastic is a challenge. Collecting relatively small amounts of used plastic from widely dispersed farms is expensive and low oil prices enable cheap production of new plastic, further reducing the incentive to recycle. Delta Plastics has set up pilot collection programs for dairy plastics in WI and MN, but have not yet integrated high tunnel plastics into their programs. Talks have begun between Delta and DANC (Development Authority of the North Country) in NY to begin collection there. Obj. 4. Understand grower use of protective structures, consumer attitudes toward crops harvested, and evaluate economic viability of using structures for commercial production: PA: Two internet surveys have been developed to gather information from growers and consumers on topics related to producing raspberries and strawberries in tunnels covered with plastic. Survey responses will inform growers about consumer demand and interest in berries grown under cover. In addition, grower survey outcomes will provide the protective structure and plastic recycling industries with data that will assist them with providing goods and services that best meet berry producer needs. VT: Meta-analysis of berry enterprise budgets were performed to understand the relative revenues, yields, costs, profitability and returns to labor and investment of various berry growing methods. Results were presented to the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey PA, February 1, 2017. Obj. 5. Develop diverse outreach vehicles to ensure that all generated information is disseminated to stakeholders and the Extension and research community: Project personnel met with our stakeholder advisory committee in December of 2016 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to report on progress and gather input for 2017 field research. The project website with accompanying blog which is published weekly has up to nearly 600 unique users per week. On the project Facebook page, weekly posts are published on project activities with a reach of up to nearly 800 per post. Additional outreach vehicles include the addition of 3 new educational/informational videos published on the TunnelBerries YouTube channel (3800 views to-date), 4 webinars, and 5 scientific and grower-focused articles. A total of 44 field days, grower workshops and conferences were held. Specific outreach products are listed under "Products".

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Anderson, H. and M. Rogers. 2017. Effects of low tunnel plastic type on organic production of day-neutral strawberries. American Society for Horticultural Science, Sept. 19-22, Waikoloa, HI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bramble Production in High Tunnels. Mar. 25, 2017 in Fargo, ND. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Choosing a High Tunnel Plastic to Suit Your Needs. Feb. 1, 2017 at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Veg Convention in Hershey, PA. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Choosing Structures and Coverings for Berry Production in Tunnels. Jan. 9, 2017 at Delaware Ag Week, Harrington, DE. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Continuing Progress in Plasticulture Research. Jan. 17, Feb. 28, and Mar. 7 at protected culture workshops in NY. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Do High Tunnel Raspberries Pencil Out? (co-presented with David Conner) Feb. 2, 2017 at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Veg Convention in Hershey, PA. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, E. Using high tunnels for organic raspberry production in humid regions.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, E. Getting two crops from your raspberries: Does it make economic sense?.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hanson, E. Raspberry Production in High Tunnels". Presented at the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association, January 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: High and Low Tunnels for Day-Neutral Strawberries. Jan. 16, 2017 at the New Holland Vegetable Day, New Holland, PA. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: High Tunnel Plastics  Whats Cooking? Feb. 7, 2017 at the NJ Agr. Conv. and Trade Show in Atlantic City, NJ. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: High Tunnel Raspberry Production (co-presented with growers Claire and Rusty Orner) on Feb. 3, 2017 at the Farming for the Future Conf. in State College, PA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Demchak, K. Choosing tunnel plastics to meet your needs.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach, H., E. Hanson, and R. Isaacs (2016). Potential effects of tunnel plastics on pesticides and pest management. North American Berry Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. December 5, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach, H., E. Hanson, J. Moses, S. Van Timmerman and R. Isaacs. (2016). Rebuilding Raspberry IPM Programs after Invasion by Spotted Wing Drosophila. Presented at the International Congress of Entomology in Orlando, FL, 26 September 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach H. and R. Isaacs Potential effects of tunnel plastics on pesticides and pest management.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Leach, H., J. Moses, E. Hanson, P. Fanning, and R. Isaacs (2017). Rapid harvest schedules and fruit removal as non-chemical approaches for managing spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in red raspberries. Journal of Pest Science, doi:10.1007/s10340-017-0873-9.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Leach, H., J. Wise, and R. Isaacs (2017). Reduced ultraviolet light transmission increased insecticide longevity in protected culture raspberry production. Chemosphere, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.09.086.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Low Tunnel Strawberry Production: Production Options, Economics, and Grower Discussion (co-presented with Kim Lewers and David Conner). Feb. 2, 2017 at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Veg Convention in Hershey, PA.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, K. 2017. Research Blog; http://www.kaitlynorde.com
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, K. (2017, January). Low Tunnels for Strawberry Production. Oral presentation at the New England Vegetable and Berries Growers Association and New England Cooperative Extensions 593 Meeting. Hadley, Massachusetts.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, K. (2017, February). Extending Strawberry Season using Low Tunnels and Day-neutral Varieties. Oral presentation at the New Hampshire Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Meeting. Manchester, New Hampshire. https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource006465_Rep9265.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orde, KM., Sideman, RG., Demchak K., Marini, RP., and Cooper, M. (2017). Effects of Low Tunnels on Day-Neutral Strawberry Production in the Northeastern U.S. Oral Presentation. American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii, 19-22 September 2017.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Plusses and Minuses of High Tunnel Strawberry Production. Feb. 1, 2017 at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Veg Convention in Hershey, PA and Mar. 25, 2017 in Fargo, ND. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pritts, M. Approaches for blackberry production in high tunnels. Oral presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pritts, M. and E. Hanson. Getting Started in Raspberries and Blackberries. Oral presentation
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pritts, M.P. and L. McDermott. 2017. Protected culture for strawberries using low tunnels. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/pdfs/low-tunnel-strawberries.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Pritts, M., L. McDermott, K. Demchak, E. Hanson, C. Weber, A.J. Both, G. Loeb and C. Heidenreich. 2017. High tunnel raspberries and blackberries. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/pdfs/high-tunnel-brambles.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Producing Berries in High and Low Tunnels. Jan. 7, 2017 at Delaware Ag Week, Harrington, DE. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Petran, A. 2017. Strawberry Production in the Upper Midwest: Modernizing Traditional Practices to Increase Yields and Harvest Windows. American Society for Horticultural Science, Sept. 19-22, Waikoloa, HI.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Researchers looking to develop longer strawberry season. Star Tribune Online. 7/15/2017. http://www.startribune.com/researchers-looking-to-develop-longer-strawberry-season/434668313/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Researchers extend growing season for strawberries in New Hampshire. Boston Globe Online. 7/10/2017. http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/10/researchers-extend-growing-season-for-strawberries-new-hampshire/ZL61QkOH1e1x3p9FOGKXCL/story.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Researchers looking to develop longer strawberry season. The Seattle Times Online. 7/15/2017. http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/researchers-looking-to-develop-longer-strawberry-season/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Researchers looking to develop longer strawberry season. Daily Mail. 7/15/2017. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-4699424/Researchers-looking-develop-longer-strawberry-season.html
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Riggs, DI., G. Loeb, S. Hesler and L. McDermott. 2016. Using insect netting on existing bird netting support systems to exclude Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) from a small scale commercial highbush blueberry planting. New York Fruit Quarterly. 24(2) 9-14. http://nyshs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/McDermott-Pages-9-14-NYFQ-Book-Summer-2016.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sideman, B and K. Orde. (2017, February). Berries in the Home Garden. Oral presentation at the NH Landscapers Association, NH Plant Growers Association & UNH Cooperative Extension Joint Winter Meeting. Concord, New Hampshire. https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource006376_Rep9129.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Small Fruit Opportunities in Field and High Tunnel. Feb. 14, 2017 at Endless Mountains Commercial Vegetable Mtg in Towanda, PA. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: TunnelBerries Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tunnelberries/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: TunnelBerries Website: www.tunnelberries.org
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Tunnel Designs and Northeastern Experiences. Feb. 23, 2017 at the Urban and Small Farms Conference in Salt Lake City, UT and Mar. 25 in Fargo, ND. Oral presentation.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: UNH researchers extend N.H. growing season for strawberries. 7/10/2017. https://phys.org/news/2017-07-unh-nh-season-strawberries.html


Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Our audience includes extension educators as well as current and potential growers utilizing protective structure (tunnels) to produce berries, tunnel and plastic manufacturers, plastic recyclers, and the berry consuming public. Much of the work will have application to production culture of additional crops, such as vegetables and ornamentals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Project participants include numerous graduate students, technicians and undergraduate research assistants. These individuals received training in various aspects of tunnel management, berry crop production, specialized equipment, data collection and analysis as it applies to the research activities. Many undergraduate students have had the opportunity to learn about high tunnels and their application in berry production through class activities. Three undergraduate student research assistants have learned several research methods because of their involvement with this project, including strawberry fruit quality assessment using refractometers and a colorimeter. A graduate student working on the project traveled to the University of Florida to learn about entomopathogenic fungi and bio-insecticide residue analysis techniques, which will be applied to this project in the 2017 growing season. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to communities of interest via presentations at scientific and industry conferences, grower workshops and field days, scientific and trade publications, reports and newsletters, web-based classes and videos, two websites, two research blogs and social media. See also Objective 5 in "What was accomplished..." and "Products". Field day and workshop events targeting agricultural producers include: NH: Durham Farm Day at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station in August 2016. MN: Two Organic Field Days on the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus, information about project objectives and design were shared with a total of forty-nine field day participants. University of Minnesota Extension Educator training, April 19, 2016: Project overview, objectives, and 2015 data were shared. NY: The three grower collaborators in New York hosted on-farm meetings to introduce the new technology to their peers and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Sixty growers saw low tunnel techniques first hand and had the opportunity for grower-to-grower information exchange. One hundred growers learned more about low tunnel strawberry production techniques at the Empire State Producers Expo berry session and responded to a clicker survey on current strawberry production practices. Presentations were made to sixty extension educators in Geneva, NY on November 9, 2015 and to thirty growers in Ballston Spa on March 24, 2016. A field day was held in Geneva, NY on July 20, 2016 with more than 100 growers in attendance viewing demonstrations of low tunnel strawberries and high tunnel raspberries. MI: A high tunnel fruit production tour was conducted at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center in East Lansing in July 2016 to teach growers and the public about raspberry trellising, double-cropping, and insect and disease management. NJ: The East Orange high tunnel will be operated by the local YMCA and used as an outreach tool to educate and train local youth and adults in urban agriculture. A nearby school has shown interest and plans to have students come out for educational tours and hands-on experiences. Rutgers University will stay involved and provide occasional training sessions in the future. PA: Twenty-eight teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade learned about the project during a 1.5-hour tour of the project on July 13, 2016. They learned about how the work relates to various subjects they teach, including physics, chemistry, current events, and agriculture. This was part of an Ag in the Classroom learning opportunity offered by the Pennsylvania Educator's Agriculture Institute. Eight Penn State Master Gardeners learned about berry production in tunnels during an on-site visit on Aug. 10, 2015. Thirty individuals including Pennsylvania Farm Bureau board members and their guests learned about the work during a site visit on July 27, 2016. One hundred eleven growers attended one of six 2-hour tours of the high tunnel facilities during Penn State's Ag Progress Days on August 16-18, 2016. Five additional growers visited the facility and learned about the project on their own. One hundred twenty-three growers attended one of two presentations given in NY and NJ that discussed the results of work conducted for this project. Approximately twenty undergraduate students learned about the work as part of a freshman seminar class. During the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, PA. (Jan. 9 -16, 2016), over 6400 visitors visited the demonstration high tunnel on January 15 which included one-on-one discussions with 75 growers or homeowners about high tunnel production. Similar was attendance reported on other days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Plastic characteristics will continue to be tracked over time for changes in performance and durability. 2. Venting systems will be evaluated for impact on tunnel microclimate and berry production. 3. Potted raspberry trial with ten newer cultivars under high tunnels will be repeated along with in ground double-cropping raspberry trial. Microclimate data, fruit yield, quality and shelf life will be evaluated. 4. We will finalize the results from the pesticide degradation study to predict how insecticides may degrade differently based on the plastic utilized. 5. We will use our two-year dataset from pest and natural enemy phenology monitoring in raspberries to predict how insect abundance may change with high tunnel implementation and plastic covering selection. 6. Repeating the low tunnel strawberry fertilizer trial. 7. Examine waiting bed strawberry production under tunnels. 8. Test methods of overwintering day-neutral strawberries. 9. Commence tunnel ventilation studies. 10. Data collection will be repeated on yield, sugar content, color, and marketability of fruit produced under different tunnel coverings, we plan next growing season to also take measurements on strawberry firmness (another indicator of berry quality). 11. We plan to continue development of techniques for measuring bio-insecticide residue on leaves for next year's growing season to improve our understanding about how the different tunnel coverings affect persistence and thus efficacy of the bio-insecticides. 12. Further experiments on raspberries and strawberries under high and low tunnels will be established or if ongoing, maintained, and data will be collected on the microenvironment, plant growth, and disease, insect, and mite incidence. Data will be analyzed. 13. The grower survey developed in 2015-16 will be disseminated to gather data on grower attitudes towards tunnels plastics purchases, use, and recycling. 14. Production costs will continue to measured and analyzed. Early findings will be disseminated starting early in 2017. 15. A consumer survey related to berry production under tunnels will be developed and tested. 16. Workshops, conference presentations and field days are planned across multiple states. 17. Update the joint Cornell/Penn State/Michigan State guide on high tunnel bramble production. 18. Additional outreach activities will include newsletters and other extension materials, manuscript publication in trade and scientific journals, videos, web-based and social media content.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj.1. Evaluate/contrast diverse types of structures and plastics: To provide growers with information, an inventory of tunnel structures available on the market today along with twenty-two different tunnel films was published on the project website with links to film features, manufacturers and distributors.Current investigations are being conducted to assess plastic film performance over time. Plastic spectral characteristics in the field were monitored over time and changes in performance and physical condition were tracked. Solar powered tunnel venting systems were configured on stand-alone high tunnels using a ridge vent, roll-up roof, roll-up sides, and side baffles in various combinations for use in venting experiments and for comparison to a manually-vented control. Obj. 2. Describe effects of diverse plastics on tunnel microclimate, berry production and insect/disease management: Low tunnel experiments on research stations and commercial farms in four states using day neutral strawberries were conducted using various plastics for tunnel covers and mulches to understand how these structures alter environmental conditions and potentially impact yield and quality. Data was collected on tunnel coverings and mulch treatments compared with open field conditions and consisted of microclimate, production and economic data, specifically:light conditions, temperature, relative humidity, plant vigor/runner production, crop yield, fruit quality/marketability, sugar content, fruit color and insect/disease incidence. The effect of fertilizer rates and planting dates on crop yield was also evaluated. Preliminary results suggest that disease incidence is reduced on plants growing under low tunnels and that mulch type affects both yield and incidence of fruit anthracnose. High tunnel experiments evaluated various plastics for tunnel covers to determine how these structures alter environmental conditions and impact yield and quality of raspberries and strawberries. Studies on research stations and commercial farms were established on plants growing under tunnels either in-ground or in pots and compared with plants growing outdoors. Data was collected on fruit yield, quality/marketability, runner production (strawberries only) and insect incidence. There was a reduction in severity of Japanese beetle feeding under high tunnels, with some differences among plastics. Three raspberry cultivars were compared under high tunnels covered with plastics that were either completely transparent to or partially opaque to ultraviolet light. Double cropping management was tested along with a V-trellis system. The plastics did not significant affect berry color, size, or shelf life, or insect pest prevalence. Ten raspberry cultivars were tested for high tunnel culture and were grown in containers under a partly UV transparent film. Differences in fruit yields, quality and fruiting times were documented. The new cultivars Imera, Kweli and Kwanza performed very well and have high commercial potential. Three raspberry cultivars were grown under organic culture in a high tunnel with partly UV transparent film. Results indicate that total yields of marketable fruit range from 12,000 to 18,000 pounds per acre, which appears to be profitable on a commercial scale. A high tunnel strawberry experiment was conducted to evaluate two fertilization regimes (fertilizer incorporated into media or as constant-feed fertigation) and 4 types of media (coir, 2:1:1 peat:coir:perlite, 2:1 peat:perlite, Metromix 360). Data were collected on air and soil temperature, plant size, root growth, and vegetative growth. Overall, 2:1 peat:perlite with constant-feed fertilization resulted in the best plant growth. In high tunnels, a two-year dataset has been collected of insect pests, natural enemies, and pollinators from high tunnel grown raspberries under different plastic types and compared to field-grown raspberries at multiple Michigan farm locations. Exclusion netting on high tunnel grown raspberries were utilized as an innovative approach to control spotted wing Drosophila. Two years of data has been collected from a pesticide degradation study under different plastic types. Ten different insecticides representing commonly used chemicals for raspberry pest management were tested and pesticide analysis results are forthcoming. Different plastic film tunnel covers on low tunnel structures in combination of various bio-insecticides have been assessed for their effect on insect pest density and damage on "Albion' day neutral strawberries. Seven biological and natural fungicides were evaluated for control of powdery mildew, Botrytis gray mold, and late leaf rust. Disease pressure was evaluated in different raspberry cultivars growing under different plastic films and using the various training systems. Fungal spore viability, sporulation capacity and the breakdown of five fungicides was assessed under the different plastic films. Obj. 3. Optimal Methods for Plastic Recycling: Best practices for handling agricultural plastics have been developed and continue to be updated. Ground work has been laid for a stakeholder organization with specific objective to increase recycling networking. Work is progressing on an interview guide will be used for recycling with the goal of adding these markets to the database being developed with Moore Recycling Associates. A website containing information on recycling agricultural was developed and published. Project participants have been monitoring plastic degradation with the goal of determining if tunnel plastics in various stages of degradation can still be recycled. Obj. 4. Understand grower use of protective structures, consumer attitudes toward crops harvested, and evaluate economic viability of using structures for commercial production: A grower survey was developed to obtain baseline data on grower attitudes towards tunnels plastics purchases, use, and recycling. Economic data were collected on labor required for various aspects of tunnel construction, plant establishment and management for use in economic analyses. Obj. 5. Develop diverse outreach vehicles to ensure that all generated information is disseminated to stakeholders and the Extension and research community: Forty meetings in the form of field days, seminars, workshops and conference presentations took place across multiple states and in Quebec, Canada. Extension activities also included dozens of communications and farm visits with growers across participating states. Print and online publications include journal and newsletter articles, weekly pest reports and an extension bulletin. The number of growers, researchers, extension personnel and other stakeholders reached is conservatively estimated to be at least 8,000. The project website with accompanying project blog was populated to disseminate information primarily to growers and extension educators and now has 300-400 unique users per week. Also developed, published and regularly updated are a project facebook page, a blog on low tunnel strawberry research, and a website on recycling agricultural plastics. Other online educational materials developed: four videos and a webinar covering aspects of growing brambles under high tunnels. A video series detailing tunnel construction was outlined and work on this series is progressing. A stand-alone (20 by 36 feet) high tunnel was constructed on a vacant lot in East Orange, NJ in collaboration with the NJ Farm Bureau and a USDA Block-grant. The high tunnel will be operated by the local YMCA and used as an outreach tool to educate and train local youth and adults in urban agriculture. To assess activities and impacts of the project, personnel met with our stakeholder advisory committee in January 2016 in Syracuse, New York to gather input and report on progress. Project personnel met again June 18-23, 2016 to conduct in-depth discussions regarding research protocol.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Anderson, H. et al. 2016. Effect of UV-blocking plastic on yield, quality, and organic pest management in day-neutral strawberries in the northern U.S. Presentation at the International Strawberry Symposium, Aug 14-17, Quebec, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Demchak, K. 2016. Advances in High Tunnel Covers. Presented Jan. 21, 2016 at 2016 Empire State Producers Expo, Syracuse, NY.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Demchak, K. 2016. New Source of Information for High and Low Tunnel Berry (and Other) Growers. Posted Aug. 26, 2016. http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetable-fruit/news/2016/new-source-of-information-for-high-and-low-tunnel-berry-and-other-growers NIFA support acknowledged.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Demchak, K. 2016. High Tunnel Production. Presented March 8, 2016 at Greenhouse Production Short Course, Bordentown, NJ.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, E. 2015. Raspberry Varieties with Potential for Double Cropping. Report to the Michigan State Hort. Society Trust, 6 p.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, E. 2015. Double Cropping of Primocane Fruiting Raspberries. Report to the Michigan State Hort. Society Trust, 4 p.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E. (2016) TunnelBerries: Evaluating berry production strategies for the Upper Midwest and Northeast U.S., The Bramble, 31, Summer, p. 11.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E. (2016) Raspberry production in high tunnels. [Annual meeting, North American Bramble Growers Association], Williamsburg, VA. 3 Mar.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E. (2016) Bramble varieties for colder climates. [Annual meeting, North American Bramble Growers Association], Williamsburg, VA. 3 Mar.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E. (2016) Strawberry weed management recommendations. [Empire State Growers EXPO], Syracuse, NY. 21 Jan.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E. and Hanson, K. (2016) Berry Abundance: Year-round supply increases overall berry consumption in the United States, Fruit Grower News, September 2016, pp. 8-9 [Online]. Available from: http://digital.fruitgrowersnews.com/i/724167-september-2016 (Accessed 25 September 2016).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hanson, E., T. Marks and R. Isaacs. 2016. Organic high tunnel production of raspberries in a humid region. Acta Hort. 1133: 259-262.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hanson, E. Moses, J. Issacs, R. and Schilder, A. (2015) Raspberry Varieties with Potential for Double Cropping. [Great Lakes Expo], Grand Rapids, MI. 8 Dec.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach, H. 2016. Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center Weekly Pest Reports.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach, H., Grieshop, M. and Isaacs, R. 2016. Integrated Strategies for Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila in Organic Small Fruit Production. MSU Extension Bulletin. March 2016.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Leach, H., Van Timmeren, S., & Isaacs, R. (2016). Exclusion Netting Delays and Reduces Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Infestation in Raspberries. Journal of Economic Entomology, tow157.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. SWD Exclusion Netting and Fixed Sprayer. September 2.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. Low Tunnel Strawberry Workshop. September 16.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming  Session 1 Site Selection (included info re: siting tunnels). November 10.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming  Session 2 Business Management (included info on cost of protected). November 17.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming  Session 3 Strawberries (included info on low tunnels). November 24.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming - Session 4 Brambles (included info on high tunnel brambles). December 1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming  Session 5 Blueberries (included info on exclusion netting). December 8.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. BF 122: Berry Farming  Session 6 Post harvest and minor fruit (included info on post-harvest treatment and the benefits of tunnel culture). December 15.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: McDermott, L. 2015. New England Veg and Fruit Conference  Day Neutral Strawberry Production as a Precursor for Low Tunnel Info. December 15.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: McDermott, L. 2016. Hudson Valley Small Fruit Session. February 18.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: McDermott, L. 2016. Low Tunnel strawberry presentation. Salem CaroVail. Industry presentation. March 9.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: McDermott, L. 2016. Low tunnel strawberry presentation. Niverville CaroVail. Industry presentation. March 10.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: McDermott, L. 2016. Berry Production Workshop with Low Tunnel Information. March 24.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: McDermott, L. 2016. FSA Train the Trainer Workshop  information on strawberry field worth vs tunnel production. August 22.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Orde, K. 2015. Using protected culture to extend the production season of strawberry in the Northeast. Departmental Seminar, UNH Dept. of Biological Sciences, 13 Nov 2015, Durham, NH
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orde, K. 2016. Effects of low tunnels and plastic mulches on growth and yields of day-neutral strawberry in New Hampshire. Biology 412 class presentation and farm tour, 6 Jul 2016, Durham NH.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orde, K., Ogden A, and Klein A. 2016. Effects of low tunnels and plastic mulches on growth and yields of day-neutral strawberry in New Hampshire. Presentation and Tour at Durham Farm Day, 20 Aug 2016, Durham NH
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orde, K. 2016. Strawberry research blog. http://www.kaitlynorde.com/strawberryblog/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pritts, M. and McDermott, L. 2016 Extending local strawberry production using day neutral cultivars and low tunnel technology, Produce Pages. February.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pullano, G. (2016) Three-season high tunnel fruit production gains steam, Fruit Grower News, September 2016, pp. 10-11 [Online]. Available from: http://digital.fruitgrowersnews.com/i/724167-september-2016 (Accessed 25 September 2016).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Recycling Agricultural Plastics website. 2016. recylceagriculturalplastics.net
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sideman, R and Orde, K. Research blog: follow along. Article posted in the NH Vegetable and Fruit Newsletter, 8 Aug 2016, Durham NH. (https://nhvegfruitnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/research-blog-follow-along/).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: TunnelBerries Website: www.tunnelberries.org
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: TunnelBerries Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tunnelberries/
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Poster Presentation: Project goals and methods. 2016. Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference.


Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Our audience includes current and potential growers utilizing protective structure (tunnels) to produce berries, tunnel and plastic manufacturers, plastic recyclers, and the berry consuming public. Much of the work will have application to production culture of additional crops, such as vegetables and ornaments. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?NRCS field staff, MSU Extension educators, and growers toured and discussed the research trials in East Lansing MI during the Conservation Innovation Field Day in August 2015, co-sponsored by the Michigan Farm Bureau and the NRCS. As part of Penn State's Ag Progress Days, held August 18-20, 2015, an "Open House" was held during the afternoon of each day where growers could visit the Rock Springs site, see tunnels that have been retrofitted for the project, and discuss topics such as tunnel design and construction, irrigation system design and set-up, and plastic cover application. Nineteen growers participated. At Cornell University on August 11, 15 growers learned about tunnel production of berries and flowers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project web sites has been developed (tunnelberries.org) and is being populated. Project PI's are scheduled to present results at several regional grower meeting this winter and spring, including the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable EXPO in Grand Rapids, MI (December, 2015), the Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA (January, 2016), the New England Vegetable and Fruit Convention in Manchester, NH (December, 2015), and the Empire State Producers EXPO in Syracuse, NY (Janurary, 2016). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Each effort described in the accomplisments of this report will continue in Year 2. Additional efforts under each objective will include: 1. Evaluate and contrast diverse types of structures and plastics through research and grower input. Studies will be initiated to assess the relative durability of plastics to weathering, and characterize and model air flow in representative tunnel types. 2. Describe the effects of diverse plastics on tunnel microclimate, berry production and pest and disease management. Assess the impact of diverse plastics on the microclimate and performance of strawberries in low tunnels, as will as the efficacy and persistance of microbial pesticides. 3. Develop optimal approaches to plastic recycling. In year 2 we will develop best management practices for recycling, and construct a recycling network to connect growers with recyclers. 4. Gather information from growers, consumers, evaluate economic viability of structures. Growers and consumers will be surveyed to determine their opinions on the use of high tunnels and plastic, as well as tunnel produced berries in general. The economic viability of each production system will be documented. 5. Develop outreach vehicles for stakeholders, growers, extension personnel, and researchers. Results of Year 1 trials will be presented at regional Extension meeting. An Extension bulletin will be developed describe plastic properties and guidelines for choosing plastics for specific needs. A "train the trainer" workshop will be offered to advise Extension educators on plastic properties and uses.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? National demand for fresh raspberries and strawberries is strong and growing and farmers in the Midwest and Northeast are keenly interested in supplying more berries to local markets. Producing profitable yields and consistently high fruit quality is difficult in a region with cold winters and short, humid growing seasons. Protective structures or tunnels appear to mitigate climatic limitations, many aspects of our climate that hinder berry production, producers need information on many topics including which type of structure and plastic to choose, how they should be managed and what benefits they can provide. 1. WHAT TYPES OF TUNNELS AND PLASTICS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY? WHAT ARE THEIR QUALITIES? There are many companies that manufacture and sell high tunnels in the US. All offer diverse designs with many options for a range of prices. Sorting through these choices is a challenge for growers. To help growers clarify choices and select products that best meet their goals, we developed an Inventory of Tunnel Structures that will be available on the project website (www.tunnelberries.org). The inventory is organized into broad tunnel types (multiple-bay tunnels, stand-alone tunnels, low tunnels) and provides contacts for tunnel manufacturers and design options. Choosing plastics films for covering tunnels is also complicated. Commercial films are clear or diffusive (light scattering), and can selectively exclude specific wavelengths. Infra-red (IR) selective films can reduce peak daytime temperatures in tunnels (thermal heat barriers) or retain heat during the night (thermic barriers). Films can also affect the type and amount of ultraviolet or UV radiation that plants receive. Many aspects of crop morphology and chemistry, including production of anti-oxidants, are strongly influenced by UV exposure, as are insect behavior and the biology of some fungi that cause plant diseases. Film durability likely varies and this dictates longevity and grower cost. In cataloging availability plastics, over 100 films were identified, a third of which are now marketed in the U.S. Samples of 51 plastics were obtained and analyzed analyzed for spectral transmittance (250 to 999 nm) and diffusion properties. The 51 plastics fell into about 8 spectral transmittance categories and 2 related to diffusion. 2. HOW DO SELECTED COMBINATIONS OF PLASTICS AND TUNNELS INFLUENCE TUNNEL ENVIRONMENTS, CROP PERFORMANCE, PEST MANAGEMENT AND PESTICIDE EFFICACY? Micro-environmental effects of different plastics: An initial goal in tunnel microclimate monitoring was been to develop economic data-loggers for temperature and relative humidity recording with multiple sensors. Programming has been worked out that allows Raspberry Pi computers to be utilized as dataloggers. A prototype datalogger wired with 8 air temperature and relatively humidity sensors and 4 thermistors for soil temperature is being tested. Light "contamination" from adjacent tunnels: Multiple-bay high tunnels consist of several adjacent, connected bays. If tunnels are oriented north to south, the plastic on adjacent bays may influence the light quality in middle bays when the sun angle is low. One goal in year 1 is to describe how light quality in interior tunnels is affected by plastic on adjacent tunnels. Adjacent tunnels were clad in pairs of plastics that vary in UV light transmittance and measurements are being taken at varying times of day, season and position within the tunnel. Plastics had distinctly different effects on light quality but whether adjacent bays impact light quality significantly is not yet known. . Fruit production and quality: Fruit of several raspberry cultivars are being assessed at each location to determine whether cultivars vary in their response to the plastics. Measurements include berry yield, average weight, berry shelf-life and color, and cane growth characteristics. The expectation is that exposure to ultraviolet light will enhance the intensity of red raspberry color, and may alter shelf life. Data collection will conclude in October. Plastic effects on raspberry insect pests and pesticides: Tunnels and plastics may influence insect behavoir, pathogen biology, and pesticide degradation. Although studies are underway, initial observations suggest that UV- light bloccking films decrease activity of both beneficial insects and pests. Mini tunnels were built to study the effects of plastics varying in UV light transmittance on degredation of conventional pesticides. Preliminary experiments are being conducted to evaluate effects of 5 different plastics covering low tunnels for strawberry production. Three OMRI-certified biocontrol insecticides are being compared to a water control for efficacy under each plastic. At Michigan State, berries have been evaluated for fruit rots under different plastic treatments. Fungicide residue work has begun in which breakdown of various products is being evaluated under different types of plastic, as well as tests on pathogen spore viability. 3. OPTIMAL METHODS FOR PLASTIC RECYCLING Information is being compiled about equipment that can potentially be used to remove and compact tunnel covers, drawing information from trade publications, trade shows displays and conversations with vendors, web searches, and conversations with growers. Recommended procedures for removing plastic are being compiled in much the same manner, with emphasis on identifying and recording successful grower experiences. We are also working with Moore Recycling Associates on merging their database of plastic recycling markets with detailed listings of reclaimers of agricultural/horticultural plastics. 4. UNDERSTANDING GROWER USE OF AND CONSUMER ATTITUBES TOWARDS TUNNELS, AND EVALUATE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF STRUCTURE USE Documents have been submitted for approval to conduct the first grower survey (scheduled for fall 2015) and the consumer survey (schedule for 2016). Labor and material costs are being compiled for each effort under objective 2 above in order to describe the economic implications of each system. 5. DEVELOP VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED TO STAKEHOLDER AND THE EXTENSION COMMUNITY The project website (www.tunnelberries.org) was developed to serve as a primary venue for outreach materials developed in the coming years. We will begin populating the site with information generated during our first season. Project personnel met with our stakeholder advisory committee for the first time on January 28, 2015 in Hershey, PA for in-depth discussions of the types of information that growers would like to obtain from this project. The 2016 stakeholder advisory committee meeting was scheduled in conjunction with the Empire State Producers Expo in January 2016 in Syracuse, NY. As part of Penn State's Ag Progress Days (August, 2015) an "Open House" was held each afternoon where growers could visit the Rock Springs site to see the tunnels and discuss the project. Fifteen growers visited the Cornell University tunnel site on August 11 to learn about tunnel production of fruit. A script is being developed for videos on end wall design considerations and construction and for covering tunnels with plastics. Plans are underway to update the joint Cornell/Penn State/Michigan State guide on high tunnel raspberry production this winter.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Demchak, K. 2015. High Tunnels - What Does Removing the Covers for a Winter Do? Fruit Times. Aug. 28, 2015. Online at: http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2015/high-tunnels-2013-what-does-removing-the-covers-for-a-winter-do